A career in academia spanning over 16 years has led Haroon Sahotra to his new role in the Office of Faculty Affairs.
Following a stint serving as the director of the Teaching and Learning Commons, Sahotra is stepping into the role of associate vice provost of faculty affairs to support faculty success and cultivate a more supportive campus community. The role was previously held by David G. Schwartz, who transitioned into the position of ombuds in 2021.
Working alongside Gary Totten, the vice provost of faculty affairs, Sahotra will play a crucial role in refining university policies and procedures that impact faculty work while also promoting initiatives that enhance teaching, research, and service. By working closely with faculty across all disciplines, Sahotra aims to create a more supportive and collaborative environment that empowers faculty to excel in their roles and contribute significantly to the university's academic reputation.
“Haroon’s experience and a strong commitment to faculty success is invaluable,” Totten said. “We have a shared vision for supporting faculty excellence and ensuring that UNLV remains at the forefront of innovations in research and teaching.”
After dedicating nearly two decades to UNLV, Sahotra is prepared to tackle the challenges faculty face and create long-term and sustainable solutions that prioritize faculty needs.
From Faculty to Administration
Sahotra got his start at UNLV as faculty in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. His interdisciplinary research is centered on the impacts of climate change and hydrology with specific emphasis on applications of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) and a specific focus on safeguarding and improving urban quality of life. Sahotra has participated in multimillion-dollar grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to continue advancing his research.
“I was drawn to UNLV because of the exciting opportunities to collaborate with water and environmental scientists, especially in applying remote sensing and GIS to tackle important challenges,” Sahotra said. “The university’s diverse community and the growth potential that comes with being in Las Vegas made it an inspiring place to live, grow, and contribute.”
His strong track record in teaching and research has positioned him well for a role in the Office of Faculty Affairs, according to Chris L. Heavey, executive vice president and provost.
“Haroon’s experience as an engineer and his STEM background contribute to the multidisciplinary strengths of our leadership,” Heavey said. “His ability to approach administrative work with a unique lens will broaden our efforts to support faculty across all disciplines.”
For Sahotra, his new role is more than a responsibility — it’s a personal commitment based on his own experiences. As a professor himself, Sahotra is well aware of the needs and challenges faculty face in balancing teaching, research, and service. His experience has shaped his approach and fueled his passion to create a system of support to advance the university’s mission.
“There have been many moments that have shaped my vision for this role and the path I’ve taken so far,” Sahotra said. “As a faculty member, whether navigating the promotion and tenure process, applying for research grants, or standing in front of a classroom full of students, I came to understand just how essential faculty development is. I knew that, if given this opportunity, I would use my experience to help this office create opportunities for other faculty on similar trajectories.”
Since the beginning of his academic career, Sahotra credits the supportive infrastructure that has helped him accomplish his professional goals and is committed to improving the quality of systems, tools, and resources for faculty to thrive.
“I want to build on that foundation to ensure new faculty at all career stages have the resources they need to flourish,” Sahotra said.
Strengthening Faculty Development, Inclusivity, and Well-Being
A new chapter has begun for the Office of Faculty Affairs. As Sahotra and Totten, who was named to his position last summer, settle into their leadership roles, together they are committed to strengthening faculty support, refining policies, and advancing initiatives that enhance UNLV’s reputation as a faculty-centric campus.
“Our team is strong and cohesive under Gary’s leadership. I am confident that our partnership will lead to significant improvements in faculty support and overall well-being," Sahotra said. “Everyone in our office is energized and prepared to make a positive impact.”
Sahotra will provide leadership in critical areas to support faculty and create an environment where academic excellence thrives. In his role, he will oversee processes to update and improve faculty bylaws and policies, co-chair the Conflict of Interest Oversight Committee, and collaborate on initiatives to support faculty recruitment, retention, and development.
As his first order of business, Sahotra will focus on the following key projects:
- Collaborating with the Faculty Senate to develop a cohesive faculty handbook
- Improving alignment of unit bylaws with UNLV Bylaws and the NSHE Handbook
- Improving documentation and training for COI processes
- Collaborating with the Teaching and Learning Commons to develop workshops that create opportunities for growth through personalized professional development, including the launch of a mentorship program for early and mid-career faculty
“These are the four areas we believe are most needed, and I’ll be focusing on them in collaboration with Gary. The initiatives need to be tailored to the individual career stages of faculty,” Sahotra said. “For example, early-career faculty may need more guidance on work-life balance, while mid-career and senior faculty may benefit from workshops and support focused on career advancement opportunities.”
Sahotra will also address the ongoing challenge of ensuring UNLV’s faculty reflects the rich demographics of its student body, beginning with recruitment strategies.
“Our starting point is recruitment. One of the main reasons our faculty does not fully reflect the composition of our student population is that applicant pools to advertised positions could be small,” Sahotra said. “To address this, we need to ensure that our recruitment process highlights our strengths — one of which is our diverse student body. By showcasing this in our job postings and across our website, we can attract a broader pool of candidates. An inclusive hiring process is key to increasing faculty diversity and ensuring it better represents our students.”
In addition to recruitment, Sahotra will prioritize retention by establishing both structural and cultural support systems that enable faculty from all backgrounds to succeed and thrive at UNLV. His focus extends beyond simply bringing faculty to the university — he aims to create an environment where they feel valued, supported, and motivated to build long-term careers.
“Faculty development plays a critical role in this effort. We already have strong initiatives in place, including forums, workshops, and training to help faculty navigate the promotion and tenure process, enhance their teaching, and excel in research and innovation. My goal is to build upon these existing efforts and ensure they continue to evolve to meet the needs of our faculty,” Sahotra said.
Future of Faculty Success is a Two-Way Conversation
The Office of Faculty Affairs is invested in helping faculty become better teachers, researchers, writers, and innovators.
Under the new leadership, strategic changes and enhanced support systems are being implemented to further strengthen faculty development, providing tailored resources and opportunities that empower faculty at every stage of their careers.
For Sahotra, the success of faculty relies on input from the faculty themselves.
“An important priority for me is ensuring transparency and integrity in decision-making, which happens through a democratic process where faculty input is valued — especially on matters that directly impact them,” Sahotra said. “This isn’t something that should be done individually; it’s a collaborative process. Building collegial relationships, sharing ideas, and working together are essential.”
By including faculty in the conversation, Sahotra demonstrates his understanding of the importance of striving for a collective growth mindset — because when the focus is on collective improvement, every individual benefits and the campus community thrives.
As the Office of Faculty Affairs moves forward, Provost Heavey is eager to see its growing impact. “I’m excited about the direction of the office,” he said. “With Gary, Haroon, and the entire team working together, our faculty will see meaningful improvements in the resources and services available to them. Ultimately, our goal is to enhance the faculty experience and support our faculty’s vital contributions to the mission of the university."
